5 Ways To Use Rub n’ Buff

So funny the amazing craft material is called Rub ‘n Buff, because, while I do the “rub” part, I tend to forget the “buff” part. HA! They should have named it “Rub ‘n Walk Away.” Because that’s exactly what I do. And I ain’t afraid to admit it.

Regardless of whether I use it properly, it’s one of my most favorite tools in my DIY toolbox.

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This stuff is amazing, and I’m going to show you why. And you can buy Rub ‘n Buff for only a few dollars!

What is Rub ‘n Buff?

Rub ‘n Buff is a waxy finish made from imported carnauba waxes, fine metallic powders and pigments. I tend to use Grecian Gold and Antique Gold over and over, but it comes in 12 colors total (you can buy a sampler of all the colors from Amazon). The smaller single tubes are about $6.00 and you can buy it on Amazon or pick it up from AC Moore or Michael’s. It comes in the following colors:

Gold Leaf

Antique Gold

Grecian Gold

Autumn Gold

European Gold

Antique White

Ebony

Pewter

Silver Leaf

Spanish Copper

Patina

Ruby

How to Use Rub ‘n Buff

To apply it, just take a small amount and rub it on with your finger (it stains, so watch out!!) or a lint-free cloth, then rub it over the things you want to “paint.” Then buff to a shine. I tend to add a few coats to get even coverage.

Ways to Use Rub ‘n Buff

1. Save Tarnished Old Knobs

Have you seen the price of knobs and pulls lately?? Okay, yeah… you can score some good ones on coupon days at the craft store, but if you need 6 – 8 or something, that adds up pretty quickly. I don’t like to spend a lot of craft supplies or materials, so reusing what I can is ideal. Plus, I just like to save old hardware because there’s something so pretty about using the same hardware. It’s as if it’s just made for that piece, right? Here’s the hardware I saved from a desk I gave my mom for Mother’s Day, and it looked great! The tarnished handles magically were covered up.

You might be asking why I didn’t just spray paint them. While that’s an option for old knobs and hardware, spray painting something leaves a coat of….well…..paint. It looks obviously painted. Rub ‘n Buff doesn’t look coated or thick the way spraypaint would look. It just looks new.

I made over this awesome oak chest from the thrift store and wanted to freshen up the clasps on the front of the chest, too. Instead of buying all new hardware, Rub ‘n Buff transformed the clasps from worn-out gold to silver to match the rest of the newly refinished oak chest!

3. Freshen Up Old Metal Buckets

I loved the way this thrifted metal bucket turned out! I needed a great 40th birthday gift for my friend and decided to make a DIY craft pack for her with my favorite crafting supplies. I loved how pretty the inside turned out! I also used it on the bottom.

4. Gold-dip Your Legs

This is one project I haven’t tried yet, but with Rub ‘n Buff, it’s easy. But use painter’s tape around the legs of a chair or table, then wipe on Rub ‘n Buff below the tape, then buff, and peel off the tape. Super easy!

5. Update ANYTHING!

So here are some fun posts I found of things that people have used Rub ‘n Buff for. OMG, I’m loving the toy gun! LOL

It would be great. Have used this stuff since 70s and it is great to fix up old frames, furniture, jewelry, etc. She is using it much heavier than i do – it is a great highlighter, a super shabby chic or where you want the color underneath or wood grain to come through. Great on leather anything but you should buff it well if you want it to not wipe off on something. It doesn’t get shiny really like plastic – but is more a sheen. i will have to check my tubes, I don’t remember it being made of wax because I have spray painted over it and then highlighted another color. You can’t paint over wax which is why I don’t wax ie asliane wax furniture. Anyway – this is a product that has been around for years and stands the test of time.

Note it does have wax but I guess when I have sandpapered to make look shabby – it was enough to allow varnish to stick. Many times I didn’t need to use any paint or varnish because I used the rub’nbuff as a last step too.

I’m applying Rub n Buff to the high surfaces on a lamp that has been painted with chalk paint. Do I need to put a finishing wax under the rub n buff or do I put finishing wax on top of it?
Advice please, anyone. Thank you.

Hey there! When you’re wiping it on, try not to use a heavy hand. Very light rubs across the surface with your finger helps. You can wear gloves so you don’t get it stained all over your finger. Hope that helps!

out works great on mine..i put a very small amount pin my finger…. went around the edge and the middle of the table… out came from pier one out for rusty…I used this shined out lightly…. and varathane … out came out great. out won’t rust again…